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The newest signee of the Calgary Flames, a free-agent left winger inked from the NCAA ranks, is more about crash and bash.

“He plays Brian Burke hockey. This is a big, hard-nosed, heavy player. He plays heavy hockey,” said Burke, the Flames president of hockey operations and interim GM. “He’s got proper levels of truculence.”

Van Brabant, who hails from Morinville, Alta., signed a two-year contract after completing his junior year at Quinnipiac University. In 40 games this season, the 6-foot-2, 195-lb., winger collected 15 goals, 22 points and 113 penalty minutes.

In three seasons with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints, the Albertan counted 84, 137 and 163 PIMs respectively, while compiling 47 total points.

Van Brabant, whose college season ended Friday with a 4-0 loss to Flames hopefuls Mark Jankowski, Jon Gillies and John Gilmour in the college tournament, will join the Flames in Ottawa in time for Sunday’s game against the Senators, but it will be a surprise if he suits up.

Van Brabant, who attended the Flames summer prospects camp last July as a free-agent, signed a deal worth US$1.35 million per season at the NHL level.

Burke fully admitted the winger was on the team’s radar before he came to the organization but says he’s excited about what Van Brabant can bring.

“I like farm kids. I don’t think you have to teach a farm kid about hard work. He can teach you about hard work,” Burke said.

“What you hope for is a power forward with some snarl, a big kid, to go up and down the wing … a third-line, fourth-line guy that gets some (penalties) and chips in with goals.

Ice chips

With D Ladislav Smid sidelined due to an upper-body injury, the Flames summoned D Chad Billins from the AHL Abbotsford Heat. Billins has played two games for the Flames this season … The Heat will receive some reinforcements. D Brett Kulak, the 2012 fourth-round draft choice, was assigned to the team Saturday, a few sleeps after his WHL season ended with the Vancouver Giants. Meanwhile, Morgan Klimchuk, the Flames third first-round pick in the ’13 draft, 28th overall, is to report to the AHL team Sunday, says CTV reporter Darrell Romuld. Klimchuk and the Regina Pats were eliminated from the playoffs by the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Bryce Van Brabant brings grit to Calgary Flames

The newest signee of the Calgary Flames, a free-agent left winger inked from the NCAA ranks, is more about crash and bash.

“He plays Brian Burke hockey. This is a big, hard-nosed, heavy player. He plays heavy hockey,” said Burke, the Flames president of hockey operations and interim GM. “He’s got proper levels of truculence.”

Van Brabant, who hails from Morinville, Alta., signed a two-year contract after completing his junior year at Quinnipiac University. In 40 games this season, the 6-foot-2, 195-lb., winger collected 15 goals, 22 points and 113 penalty minutes.

In three seasons with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints, the Albertan counted 84, 137 and 163 PIMs respectively, while compiling 47 total points.